70 FR 173 pgs. 53402-53403 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to an Extension of the Pilot Programs Applicable to Fee Caps for Dividend Spread and Merger Spread Transactions Until March 1, 2006
Type: NOTICEVolume: 70Number: 173Pages: 53402 - 53403
Docket number: [Release No. 34-52374; File No. SR-CBOE-2005-66]
FR document: [FR Doc. E5-4885 Filed 9-7-05; 8:45 am]
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-52374; File No. SR-CBOE-2005-66]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to an Extension of the Pilot Programs Applicable to Fee Caps for Dividend Spread and Merger Spread Transactions Until March 1, 2006
September 1, 2005.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act")1and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,2notice is hereby given that on August 24, 2005, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated ("CBOE" or "Exchange") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by CBOE. The Exchange designated the proposed rule change as establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act3and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,4which renders the proposal effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested parties.
Footnotes:
1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii)
4 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend its Fees Schedule to extend until March 1, 2006 the pilot programs applicable to fee caps on dividend spread and merger spread transactions. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site ( http://www.cboe.com ), at the Office of the Secretary, CBOE, and at the Commission.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, CBOE included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. CBOE has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange currently caps market-maker, firm, and broker-dealer transaction fees associated with "dividend spread" transactions5at $2,000 for all dividend spread transactions executed on the same trading day in the same options class. A similar fee cap is currently in place for market-maker, firm, and broker-dealer transaction fees associated with "merger spread" transactions6executed on the same trading day in the same options class.7Both fee caps are in effect as pilot programs that are due to expire on September 1, 2005.8
Footnotes:
5 A "dividend spread" is defined as any trade done to achieve a dividend arbitrage between any two deep-in-the-money options.
6 A "merger spread" transaction is defined as a transaction executed pursuant to a strategy involving the simultaneous purchase and sale of options of the same class and expiration date, but with different strike prices, followed by the exercise of the resulting long options position, each executed prior to the date on which shareholders of record are required to elect their respective form of consideration, i.e. , cash or stock.
7 Telephone conversation between Jaime Galvan, Assistant Secretary, CBOE, and Steve Kuan, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on August 30, 2005.
8 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 51468 (April 1, 2005), 70 FR 17742 (April 7, 2005) (SR-CBOE-2005-18), and 51828 (June 13, 2005), 70 FR 35475 (June 20, 2005) (SR-CBOE-2005-42).
The Exchange proposes to extend both pilot programs until March 1, 2006. No other changes are proposed. The Exchange believes that extension of these fee cap programs should attract additional liquidity and permit the Exchange to remain competitive.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,9in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act10in particular, in that it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among CBOE members and other persons using its facilities.
Footnotes:
9 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of purposes of the Act.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act11and paragraph (f)(2) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder12because it is establishing or changing a due, fee, or other charge applicable only to the Exchange's members. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Footnotes:
11 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
12 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission's Internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ); or
• Send an e-mail to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR-CBOE-2005-66 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303.
All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2005-66. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet Web site ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml ). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for inspection and copying in the Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2005-66 and should be submitted on or before September 29, 2005.
For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority.13
Footnotes:
13 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-4885 Filed 9-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P